He Who Rides a Tiger
Date: 1965
Director: Charles Crichton
Production Company: David Newman Films
Stars: Tom Bell, Judi Dench, Paul Rogers, Kay Walsh, Ray McAnally, Inigo Jackson, Rita Webb
Location(s): Hertfordshire, London
Region(s): London H-L, South East E-L
Storyline:
“He who rides a tiger can never dismount” runs the proverb, as a habitual cat-burglar discovers in his attempts to go straight.
Additional Information:
Page compiled by Steve Randall
Richard Lovejoy has provided additional information for this film which can be accessed here
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- Capture 1
- 'Now' required
Habitual criminal Peter Rayston is released from Wormwood Scrubs Prison, Du Cane Road, London W12.
- Capture 2
- 'Now' required
Once released, he heads straight for a club, where he picks up a girl.
- Capture 3
- 30 Oct 2025
A German nanny (Nicolette Pendrell) leaves a plush house Peter has targeted. Dave W. recognised Number 4 Cheyne Walk, SW3. (SR)
This is no.4 today. SJ
- Capture 4
- 15 Oct 2024
Peter follows the girl down the road. 4 Cheyne Walk, found by Dave W. (SR)
The view today with autumn leaves. (SR)
- Capture 5
- 04 Jun 2024
She joins a parade of nannies. Hyde Park, London.
About here on Lancaster Walk, Kensington Gardens, looking north. SJ
- Capture 6
- 04 Jun 2024
Peter returns a dropped toy to the girl and befriends her. Albert Memorial, Hyde Park, London.
Now looking south from Lancaster Walk. SJ
- Capture 7
- 30 Oct 2025
On another day the German girl returns to find police cars at the residence, which has been burgled. 4 Cheyne Walk again says Dave W. (SR)
The gates of no.4. SJ
- Capture 8
- 09 Feb 2025
Peter arrives at a block of flats. Monckton Court, Strangways Terrace, London W14.
A more decorative appearance with the sign on the other side of the entrance. SJ
- Capture 9
- 09 Feb 2025
Here Peter (Tom Bell) unloads his ill-gotten gains. Monckton Court W14.
Panning right to the south-east in the direction of Holland Park Road. SJ
- Capture 10
- 'Now' required
The police follow Peter as he speeds through the countyside,
- Capture 11
- 'Now' required
Panning right from the previous shot, we follow the car and its pursuer.
- Capture 12
- 'Now' required
The police set up a road block. They arrest Peter and search his car, but release him through lack of evidence.
- Capture 13
- 17 Mar 2024
Peter strides off after ending a short stormy relationship with a girl. Richard Lovejoy recognised Ormonde Gate SW3, rounding into Royal Hospital Road outside Burton's Court.
It appears the tree on the right has gone. SJ
- Capture 14
- 17 Mar 2024
As the camera pans to the right, he walks between lines of trees. Royal Hospital Road, at the junction with Ormonde Gate, expertly spotted by Richard Lovejoy.
This should be further to the right to catch the avenue of trees leading to the cricket pavilion in Burton Court. SJ
- Capture 15
- 'Now' required
He pauses to consider his future, with a life of crime, view of Waterloo Bridge, and St. Paul's Cathedral behind him.
- Capture 16
- 22 Mar 2024
Peter crosses the road to phone Joanne, a girl that he had helped home after she was stranded by the roadside one night. The view looking down from the roof of the Playhouse Theatre, WC2, to Northumberland Avenue and Whitehall Place, located by Dave W. (SR)
A ground level shot from Paul Lincoln revealing a much changed scene. (RL)
- Capture 17
- 'Now' required
Peter drives towards the orphanage where Joanne works.
- Capture 18
- 'Now' required
The camera pans left as the car passes.
- Capture 19
- 'Now' required
Peter arrives at the gateway to the orphanage. William Baker School, Goldings, Hertford, Hertfordshire
- Capture 20
- 'Now' required
Peter stops off in the playground. The William Baker School was based at Goldings, once the country home of a wealthy banker.
- Capture 21
- 'Now' required
Peter plays football with the children. William Baker School was a Barnardos facility and according to a contemporary account the normal life of the school carried on as the filming was being done.
- Capture 22
- 'Now' required
Using his cat-burgler skills, Peter shins up the wall of the school to retrieve a football. Goldings.
- Capture 23
- 17 Mar 2024
Peter buys a bunch of flowers from a flower seller (Rita Webb). Richard Lovejoy places this spot as St. Leonard's Terrace on the corner with Royal Avenue, SW3.
A similar shot appears in "Stormbreaker." SJ
- Capture 24
- 17 Mar 2024
A reverse pov to the previous capture shows 14 St. Leonard's Terrace in the background, located by Richard Lovejoy.
Looking west. SJ
- Capture 25
- 17 Mar 2024
Now panning left, Peter leaps behind the flower-seller and walks north between the trees, identified as Royal Avenue by RL.
Familiar to fans of "The Servant." SJ
- Capture 26
- 'Now' required
The head of the orphanage (Ray McAnally) discusses Joanne's new-found relationship with her.
- Capture 27
- 'Now' required
Peter drives to the orphanage. Goldens Way, Hertford.
- Capture 28
- 'Now' required
As Peter arrives, the children rush out of the building to greet him. Goldings.
- Capture 29
- 'Now' required
Peter and Joanne watch the children at play. Goldings.
- Capture 30
- 'Now' required
The pair then escape into the country. The school closed in 1967, and the building, part of the Goldings Estate, is currently under development for residential use.
- Capture 31
- 'Now' required
Det. Sgt. Scott (Inigo Jackson) walks down a suburban street.
- Capture 32
- 'Now' required
The camera pans left to a front garden where he meets up with Supt. Taylor (Paul Rogers) to discuss the robberies.
- Capture 33
- 22 Mar 2024
Action moves to Peter's next target. The Playhouse Theatre, Northumberland Avenue, London WC2, also seen in 'Make Mine a Million' and 'Robbery'. The camera tilts down the frontage.
Paul Lincoln found that it is now appears to be a very different 'playhouse'. (RL)
- Capture 34
- 22 Mar 2024
The tilt continues...
Paul similarly tilted downward. (RL)
- Capture 35
- 22 Mar 2024
...and reaches the ground where we see it is "Rave Beat Night" as an eager crowd gathers.
No eager crowd for Paul to capture. (RL)
- Capture 36
- 22 Mar 2024
A line of fans passes down the street. This is Craven Street viewed from the junction with Northumberland Avenue.
A daytime shot from Paul reveals a rather changed architectural view. (RL)
- Capture 37
- 22 Mar 2024
A cat-burgler's view of Craven House, 16 Northumberland Avenue WC2.
Paul would only have seen the cat-burgular entering the premises. (RL)
- Capture 38
- 'Now' required
An unreformed Peter makes his escape down a back alley.